Described herein are systems, devices, and methods for a wireless energy transfer source that can support multiple wireless energy transfer techniques. A wireless energy source is configured to support wireless energy transfer techniques without requiring separate independent hardware for each technique. An amplifier is used to energize different energy transfer elements tuned for different frequencies. The impendence of each energy transfer element is configured such that only some of the energy transfer elements is active at a time. The different energy transfer elements and energy transfer techniques may be selectively activated using an amplifier without using active switches to select or activate different coils and/or resonators.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A wireless energy source compatible with multiple energy transfer techniques comprising: an amplifier, configured to operate at a first frequency and a second frequency; a first energy transfer element, configured for wireless energy transfer using a first energy transfer technique at the first frequency; and a second energy transfer element, configured for wireless energy transfer using a second energy transfer technique at the second frequency; wherein the second frequency is different than the first frequency, and wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the first frequency is less than the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the second frequency.
A wireless energy source supports multiple wireless charging methods using a single circuit. It has an amplifier that can operate at two different frequencies. A first energy transfer element (like a coil) uses a first wireless charging method at the first frequency, while a second energy transfer element uses a second wireless charging method at the second frequency. The two frequencies are different. The impedance of the first element is lower at the first frequency than its impedance at the second frequency. This allows the amplifier to drive the first element efficiently at the first frequency.
2. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second frequency is at least two times the first frequency.
The wireless energy source described above has a second frequency that is at least two times the first frequency. This separation of frequencies allows for better isolation and less interference between the two wireless charging methods being supported by the system.
3. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the first frequency is three times less than the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the second frequency.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the first frequency is three times less than its impedance at the second frequency. This impedance difference ensures that the first energy transfer element is preferentially energized when the amplifier operates at the first frequency.
4. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the second energy transfer element at the second frequency is at least three times less than the impedance of the second energy transfer element at the first frequency.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedance of the second energy transfer element at the second frequency is at least three times less than its impedance at the second frequency. This ensures efficient energy transfer to the second energy transfer element when the amplifier is operating at the second frequency.
5. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the first frequency is at least ten times less than the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the second frequency.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedance of the first energy transfer element at the first frequency is at least ten times less than its impedance at the second frequency. This larger impedance difference enhances the selectivity of the amplifier, ensuring that most of the energy is transferred to the intended energy transfer element based on the operating frequency.
6. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second frequency is at least five times the first frequency.
In the wireless energy source described above, the second frequency is at least five times the first frequency. This increased frequency separation reduces the potential for interference between the two wireless charging methods and improves the efficiency of energy transfer for each method.
7. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first energy transfer element and the second energy transfer element are arranged in parallel.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first and second energy transfer elements are arranged in parallel. This parallel arrangement allows each element to operate independently when the amplifier is driven at their respective resonant frequencies.
8. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first energy transfer element and the second energy transfer element are arranged in series.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first and second energy transfer elements are arranged in series. This series arrangement affects the total impedance seen by the amplifier, influencing how energy is distributed between the elements at different frequencies.
9. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first energy transfer element is inductively coupled to the second energy transfer element and wherein the second energy transfer element is directly coupled to the amplifier.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first energy transfer element is inductively coupled to the second, and the second is directly connected to the amplifier. This configuration allows the amplifier to directly drive the second element, while the first element receives energy through magnetic field coupling.
10. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , further comprising a third energy transfer element configured for energy transfer using a third frequency.
The wireless energy source described above also includes a third energy transfer element, designed to work at a third frequency. This allows the system to support three different wireless energy transfer techniques from a single amplifier.
11. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first energy transfer element comprises a resonator resonant substantially at the first frequency.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first energy transfer element is a resonator that resonates at the first frequency. This resonance enhances the efficiency of energy transfer at that specific frequency.
12. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first frequency is 100 kHz and the second frequency is 535 kHz.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first frequency is 100 kHz, and the second frequency is 535 kHz. These specific frequencies are used for the multiple wireless charging methods supported by the source.
13. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element and the impedance of the second energy transfer element is configured such that at least 60% of the energy provided by the amplifier operating at the first frequency is delivered to the first energy transfer element.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedances of the first and second energy transfer elements are configured so that at least 60% of the energy from the amplifier at the first frequency goes to the first energy transfer element. This ensures that the first element is the primary recipient of energy when the amplifier is driven at the first frequency.
14. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element and the impedance of the second energy transfer element is configured such that at least 90% of the energy provided by the amplifier operating at the first frequency is delivered to the first energy transfer element.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedances of the first and second energy transfer elements are configured so that at least 90% of the energy from the amplifier at the first frequency goes to the first energy transfer element. This high level of energy transfer efficiency to the first element is achieved by impedance matching.
15. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the impedance of the first energy transfer element and the impedance of the second energy transfer element is configured such that the energy delivered to the first energy transfer element from the amplifier operating at the first frequency is at least two times larger than the energy delivered to the second energy transfer element.
In the wireless energy source described above, the impedances are configured such that the energy delivered to the first element is at least two times larger than the energy delivered to the second element when the amplifier operates at the first frequency. This imbalance in energy delivery is achieved through careful control of impedance relationships.
16. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the amplifier is a switching amplifier and is configured to operate at the first frequency for a first time period.
In the wireless energy source described above, the amplifier is a switching amplifier and is configured to operate at the first frequency for a specific time period. This allows for timed activation of specific energy transfer methods.
17. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the first energy transfer technique is induction.
In the wireless energy source described above, the first energy transfer technique is induction. This is a short-range wireless charging method that utilizes magnetic fields.
18. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second energy transfer technique is resonant wireless energy transfer.
In the wireless energy source described above, the second energy transfer technique is resonant wireless energy transfer. This technique utilizes resonance to increase the distance and efficiency of energy transfer.
19. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the source is configured as a pad.
In the wireless energy source described above, the source is configured as a pad. This is a physical shape and form factor for easy placement of devices for charging.
20. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second frequency is at least five times the first frequency.
The wireless energy source described above has a second frequency that is at least five times the first frequency. This greater frequency separation between the energy transfer methods increases efficiency and reduces unwanted interference.
21. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second energy transfer element comprises an impedance matching network.
In the wireless energy source described above, the second energy transfer element includes an impedance matching network. This network optimizes the energy transfer between the amplifier and the second energy transfer element, ensuring maximum efficiency.
22. The wireless energy transfer source from claim 1 , wherein the second energy transfer element comprises an adjustable capacitance.
In the wireless energy source described above, the second energy transfer element includes an adjustable capacitance. This allows for tuning the resonant frequency of the second element.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 25, 2013
March 21, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.